Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1887-01-13

Improve the Pension Laws.

The u. S. Government is credited
with rewarding her defenders with
liberal and adequate pensions, indeed
what is and has alread Y been appro-
priated in recognition of the value Of
services rendered on the field is
proudly cited as an evidence of the
magnanimity of grateful nation.
And yet not all to which the shat
tered army of defenders IS entitled
has yet been granted. Within the
personal observation Of almost every
reader there may be found cases
where justice has not been melted
out in the smallest measure, and in
contemplation of which the thoughts
of liberal pension laws seem a
mockery.
The comprehensive wisdom Of
congress has long since provided for
granting pensions to soldiers who
were unable to furnish the detailed
evidence required by the very rigor-
Gus laws of the pension department,
by special enactments OF that body
in cases where claims were obvi-
ously just. Many worthy men have
been benefciaries of this benign
provision, while very small per
cent of impostors have found succor.
Republican administrations, in SYM
pathy with the soldiers and their de-
pendents, have made these laws to
operate as the lawmakers contem-
plated, and afforded relief to many
whose cases were not clear and
could not be made clear to the me-
chanical constructions that serve as
clerks in the departments. The
last congress passed large num-
Der Of special bills Of this nature, but
the astonishing number of lo2 were
vetoed by the president. In his veto
he virtually said that the applicants
and their witnesses were peDurers
and the congressman who chanpi-
oned their claim connived in fraud.
By the executives refusal to concur
in the acts Of congress the scanty re-
lief is denied deserving veterans and
the ray of hope cut off.
This is the reason why the law!
giving relief direct from the pension
bureau should be made more Ienien
and the soldiers access to the treas
ury more easy OF accomplishment
Senator Blair has introduced bill
in the present congress that compre
hends this subject to grea: exten
wherein it provides that enlistmen
into the service shall be proof sutfi
Gent of physical soundness at thu
time. In this it is just beyond di'
pute, for as many as were accepte
for service are certainly entitled t
all the benefits that may accru'
The Blair bill has numerous oths
provisions, each just in measur
but none which aim so directly
remedy the most prominent injustic
as the one above mentioned.
A more liberal code of gener
pension laws is also demands
Many sums granted are conspicI
ously small and not at all adequa
to the purpose. Two or four dolIa
per month cannot compensate #
shattered health or reward valo
Gen'l Logan who was at all tim
in experience and condition we
qualified to know the needs of Il
soldiers, recommended and adv
Gated more liberal pensions. Whs
ever OF the nations wealth and fave
may be in store for the survivors
the brave armies must not long
withheld. Those who enlisted
beardless boys are now accounts
old and are veterans in life as we
as war. Time is rapidly depletlr
their ranks, and soon they will ha'
gone to join the "grand army of Il
dead
The government is richly able
give literally from her abundance
those whose bravery and loyal
made possible the existence of tn
government united.